A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

When the BLIND lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch
Now more common in the metaphorical phrase, the blind leading the blind. With allusion to MATTHEW xv. 14 (AV) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

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  с 897 ALFRED Gregory’s Pastoral Care (EETS) i. Gif se blinda thone blindan lret, he feallath begen [both] on renne pytt. с 1300 Body & Soul (1889) 49 Ac hwanne the blinde lat the blinde, In dike he fallen bothe two. 1583 B. MELBANCKE Philotimus 165 In the ditch falls the blind that is led by the blind. 1836 CARLYLE Sartor Resartus II. iii. It is written, When the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. .. May it not sometimes be safer, if both leader and led simply—sit still? 1908 H. M. SYLVESTER Olde Pemaquid 12 If the blind lead the blind, the ditch is but a little way on. 1947 L. P. HARTLEY Eustace & Hilda xvi. To get Hilda out of the house was a step forward, even in a Bath chair.. even if they could see nothing beyond their noses, the blind leading the blind. "ignorance; rulers and ruled
  

A BLIND man’s wife needs no paint

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  1659 J. HOWELL Proverbs (Spanish) 4 The blind mans wife needs no painting. 1736 B. FRANKLIN Poor Richard’s Almanack (June) God helps them that help themselves. Why does the blind man’s wife paint her self? 1892 C. M. YONGE Old Woman’s Outlook in Hampshire Village 166 His [the schoolmaster’s] copies too were remarkable. One was ‘A blind man’s wife needs no paint.’ ‘Proverbs, sir, Proverbs,’ he answered, when asked where it came from. "appearance; wives and husbands
  

blind see also in the COUNTRY of the blind, the one-eyed man is king; a DEAF husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple; LOVE is blind; a NOD’S as good as a wink to a blind horse; NOTHING so bold as a blind mare.